Collapsible cardboard display device



Oct. 23, 1962 J. SCHEROTTO 3,059,362

' COLLAPSIBLE CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Sept. 18, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JO/l/V JC'f/f/POTT'O MMMMW Oct. 23, 1962 J. SCHEROTTO COLLAPSIBLE CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1961 INVENTOR. J'O/M/ 566M790? 7'0 Oct. 23, 1962 J. SCHEROTT O COLLAPSIBLE CARDBOARD DISPLAY DEVICE S Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 18, 1961 INVENTOR. Ja/l/V Jfl/[POUO BY ug United States Patent C) 3,959,362 COLLAPSIBLE CARDBOARD DESPLAY DEVICE John Scherotto, Secaucus, N..l., assignor to Einson-Freeman Co., Inc., Long Island City, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 138,962 8 Claims. (Cl. 49-4241) This invention relates generally to display devices, and has particular reference to a collapsible device composed of cardboard or equivalent foldable sheet stock.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an attractive attention-arresting structure which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, readily collapsible into compact condition for purposes of storage and shipment, easy to set up for use, and sturdy.

Another object is to provide a device which is admirably adapted for use in a variety of display positions, being self-sustaining for certain purposes, and easily supportable by a pole or its equivalent when such type of support is desirable or necessary. The display device is intended primarily for use as an advertising poster or display in stores, supermarkets, and other establishments, but the invention is not restricted to any such particular application or purpose.

A characterizing feature of the improved display structure lies in the employment of a lazy-tongs interengagement between a pair of extremely simple inexpensive cardboard blanks, the manner of constructing and combining these elements being of novel character which produces a highly effective illusion of attractive simplicity. In its preferred form, the invention comprises a first blank of relatively wide stock provided with rectangular cut-outs of special character, a second narrower blank mounted in the cut-outs in a special way, and connection flapsso designed that they always remain concealed and thus contribute to the creation of the desired effect.

In modified forms, of the invention, a simple provision of apertures in special locations, and a simple alteration of cuts and score lines in one of the initial blanks, make it possible to support the display in different positions and with different effectiveness.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, and some modifications, all showing the manner in which the objects and advantages of the invention can be attained, are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which-- 7 FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a display device constructed in accordance with this invention, shown in self-supporting set-up condition;

FIGURE 2 is a plan View of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view showing the parts of which the device of FIGURE 1 is composed;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the original blank of cardboard or equivalent stock of which the wider element of FIGURES 1-3 is formed;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modification;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view, looking downward, of a further modification;

FIGURE7 is a cross-sectional view along the line 77 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, of the modified scoring and cutting required to form the wider blank of FIGURES 6 and 7.

3,e5 9,3 652 Patented Oct. 23, 1962 The wider blank 10 of the structure shown in FIG- URES 1-3 is substantially rectangular and is provided with three parallel fold lines 11, 12, and 13, equally spaced, thus dividing the blank into four hingedly connected panels 14, 15, 16, 17. The folds are preferably produced by score lines, and are of a character which allow the blank to fold in one direction along the central line 12 and in the opposite direction along the lines 11 and 13. For descriptive purposes the face of the blank which is visible in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4 will hereafter be designated as the front face of the blank.

In the blank illustrated, the edges 18 and 19 between which the fold lines extend have been shown straight, and parallel to each other. It is not essential that this be so, although if the device is intended to be self-supporting, and to stand by itself on a flat counter top or other surface, the lower edge 19 should be straight (as shown) or at least of a shape to afford a firm footing.

Score lines and cuts along a medial region provide a row of cut-outs in the blank 10, as best indicated at 21 21, and 22 in FIGURE 3. These cut-outs are aligned in the region about half-way between, and parallel to, the edges 18 and 19.

More particularly, the cuts 23 and 24, and the hinge line 25, define the cut-out 20. The hinge 25 defines the edge of the cut-out which is parallel to the fold lines 11, 12, 13, and the flap 26, hinged to this edge, serves as a connector whose function will presently be described.

In similar fashion, cuts 27 and 28, and hinge line 29, define the cut-out 22 and the connection flap 30.

Each connection flap is somewhat shorter than the corresponding pair of cuts which define it. That is to say, the distance between the hinge line 25 and the end edge 31 of flap 26 is slightly less than the length of each cut 23, 24; and the same is true of flap 30 (see FIGURE 4).

The central cut-out 21 is defined by cuts 32 and 33, by hinge lines 34, 35 (parallel to fold lines 11, 12, 13) and by spaced cuts 36 (FIGURE 4) bounding an area which has been completely severed from the blank. Connection flaps 37, and 38 are hinged at 34 and 35 respectively.

It is to be noted that the cut-outs 20, 21, and 22 intersect only the forwardly-facing folds and end edges of the blank 10. No cut-outs extend across the rearwardly-facing folds 11 and 13. It should also be noted that the cuts 23-, 32, and 27 are aligned and are parallel to the similarly aligned set of cuts 24, 33, and 28.

When the device is set up for use, the blank 10 is accordion-pleated, i.e., it zig-zags from one end to the other, due to the alternating directions of folds 11, 12 and 13. v

The narrower blankof the device is similarly of accordion-pleated character. It is a substantially rectangular element 39 having parallel top and bottom edges 40; 41 and parallel fold lines 42, 43 and 44 (alternating in fold direction) to define hingedly connected panels 45, 46-, 47 and 48. The width of the blank 39 between edges 40, 41 is substantially the same as (or only slightly less than) the spacing {between the cuts defining the cut-outs 20, 21, 22 in the wider blank 10.

The two blanks 10 and 39 are interengaged in lazy? tongs relation, as best indicated in FIGURE 2. 'The' rearwardly-facing fold 43, and the rearwardly-facing panels 45 and 48, project rearwardly through the cutouts 2t), 21, 22. The parts are permanently held in this relationship by securement of the connection flaps 26, $7;

more than four adjacent panels.

38' and: 30 tothe adjacent rearwardly-facing areas on panels 4-5, 46, 47 and 48, respectively. Adhesive may be satisfactorily employed for this purpose.

In the complete assembly, the connection flaps ar almost completely hidden, yet the lazy-tongs hinged conmotion between the two blanks is permanent, staunch, and reliable. As a result, an interesting superposition of display panels is presented to view, with the mode of interconnection not clearly discernible, and an attention arresting effect is thus produced. A similar appearance is presented at the rear. Hence all panels, both front and rear, may be employed to advantage in displaying advertising or other embellishment.

The collapsibility of the device will be apparent from its lazy-tongs nature, and in compacted condition it can readily be stored or shipped. To set up the device it is merely necessary to expand it to the condition shown in FIGURES l and 2, and obviously'this is an extremely simple operation calling for no special skill.

The sizes of the blanks used, and the relative proportions of the panels defined by the accordion pleats, may be varied widely, depending upon requirements. For example, a relatively small counter display may have the individual panels (such as those designated 45-48) no larger than two or three inches square; whereas in a display device for use at a relatively high altitude in a supermarket or other establishment the corresponding panels might be several feet square. Moreover, it is not essential that the panels be square, since oblong panels may be similarly provided for.

It is also to be noted that the blanks may under certain circumstances have more than three fold lines, hence The depiction of a device with four panels is merely by way of example. Also, while the wider blank has been shown provided with only one set of cut-outs 2022, to accommodat the single secondarystood that additional rows of similar cut-outs may be provided, as may be desired, each set accommoclating a corresponding additional relatively narrow blank similar to the blank 39 and interengaged in similar lazy-tongs relation. V G

In FIGURES 5 and 6-(to each of which comments as to variability of design also apply) devices have been shown whichare adapted, to be supported on poles or similar supporting elements.

In FIGURES the modification consists simply in-providing apertures 49 through the flap hinges 2-5, 34 a11d 35, the hinge 1in 29 remaining unapertured. The apertures 49 lie along a line folds of the device. As a result, the structure. can be turned to arrange these folds horizontally (rather than vertically as in FIGURE 1) and it can be supported in this position by a pole 80 extending through the aperthe foregoing tures 49 with its upper end braced within the angle of the unapertured hinge 29.

If desired, the hinge 29 can also be provided with an aperture aligned with the holes 49, in which case an interesting elfect can be produced by passinga pole or equivalent element through all the apertures nd sup porting the device on the pole in skewered style with the pole horizontal or substantially so. To support the device in the-condition of FIGURE 1, but at an elevation, a modified structure of the typeshown in FIGURES 6-8 isemployed. In this case, the device is provided with a means for mounting it upon a pole extending parallel to the pleat-forming folds. Hinged to one of the faces of the device are special ,flaps which are foldalble from inoperative dispositions, close against the face to, operative positions at right angles thereto. The special .fla'ps haveapertures which align themselves with each other, to receive the pole or equivalent element, when the device is fully. setup.

Inthe devi'cechosen for illustration in FIGURES 6-7, the shapes and arrangementofthe parts are substantially perpendicular to the pleat-defining blank shown at 39, it will be under- 1 the same as in FIGURES 1-5, except for the cuts and a score, lines defining the central cut-out. Thus, in FIGURE 8 (as compared with FIGURE 4) the connec tion flaps '50, 51, hinged along lines 52, 53 respectively, are smaller in size than flaps 37, 38, and not purely rectangular. This does not impair their usefulness for connection purposes, and it allows the material in the region between the oblique cuts 54, 55 to be formed into special rhom bus-shaped flaps. One of these is designated '56 and is hinged to the panel as along the line 58. The other flap 59 (similarly shaped) is hinged to panel 57 along the line 61. Each of the special flaps 55, 59 is itself a pleated element. Thus, the flap '56 has a fold line 62 extending diagonally across it from the fold line 53 (between panels 57, 66); and the flap 59 has a similar fold line 64. At the midportion of fold line 62 there is an aperture 65, and at the midpcrtion of fold line 64 there is a similar aperture 66'. a

When the device is manufactured, a marginal part 67 of flap 56 is secured by adhesive or otherwise to the adjacent panel 57, as best seen in FIGURE 6. This brings the fold line 62 into the same plane as the fold line 63. The marginal part 68 of the flap 59 is similarly secured to panel 60, bringing the '-fold line 64 also into that plane. As a result, the flaps 56, 59 collapse into nested positions within the angle directly behind the fold line 63 when the device is collapsed; and when it is set up they move to the perpendicular disposition shown in FIGURE 7, thus bringing the holes 65, 'into alignment for reception of a supporting pole or element 69, as indicated.

For the sake of clearness of illustration, the flap 56 has been shown in FIGURE 6 in the angled condition it starts to assume as the'device is first caused to collapse. It is to be understood that a fully planar disposition is assumed when the device is fully expanded.

It will thus be seen that a display device or" extreme simplicity and low cost, yet versatile and effective, has been provided. Several specific embodiments have been illustrated. It will be understood, however, that many of the details shown and described may be modified by those skilled in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: r 7 I l. A collapsible cardboard display device comprising a relatively wide accordion-pleated blankhaving a front face and a rear face and having a set of rectangular cutouts along a medial region extending perpendicular to the pleat-defining folds, said cut-outs intersecting only the forwardly-facing folds and end edges, a relatively narrow accordiompleated blank having a-front face and-a rear face and fitted in said cut-outs in lazy-tongs relation to the wider blank, and connection flaps hinged to the wider blank along thecut-out edges which are parallel to said folds, said flaps beingasecured to the adjacent rear-face areas of'the narrower blank.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1; said connection flaps being integral parts of the wider blank.

3. A display device asdefined in claim 1, in which apertures are provided through said 'flap hinges along a line perpendicular tothe pleat-defining folds, and a supporting pole extending through said apertures.

4. A display device'as defined in claim '3, one of said flap hinges being unapertured and said pole being upright with its upper end braced within the angle of said unapertured hinge.

5. A display device as defined in claim 1, provided with means for mounting the device on a pole extending parallel to the pleat-defining folds, comprising flaps hinged to one of the faces of the device and foldablc irom an inoperative disposition against said face to an operative position perpendicular thereto; said flaps having apertures which align themselves witheach other when the flaps are folded to operative positions.

3,059,362 5 6 6. A display device as defined in claim 5, said flaps vice is collapsed and lies at right angles to said fold lying directly Within the angle formed by one of the h t device is up.

p 7 -i gf 'f d fin d 1 5 d fi References Cited in the file of this patent isp ay evice as i ee in c aim sai aps lying in the angle directly behind one of the iorwardly- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS facing p1eat defining 1 1,052,187 Stranders 1913 8 A disl d d fin d 5 11 1,454,038 Carter May 8, 1923 p ay eVlCe as 6 111 C 31111 Sal aPS 1 ym t p lying directly within the angle formed by one of the 213241394 Lohnes 1958 pleat-defining folds, at least one of said flaps being itself 2 3 0 439 Johnsonv 1 1 5 a pleat whose hinge nests Within said told when the de- 2,882,629 Moebius Apr. 21, 1959 

